Fantastic Persistence of Vision Hacking Platform

A couple of MIT hackers have put together a fantastic little kit complete with all the parts you need, pre-designed PC boards, and ultra-clear directions on this web site.

This approximately 20-part kit makes really cool flashing LEDs that can paint 2-D pictures when you wave them through the air, and is a perfect first project to begin learning how to solder, assemble simple electronics, program microcontrollers, and just make cool flashy things. You can even buy all the rather inexpensive components ready to go from this web site.